Blog Posts in Category: Health

During the past few years, there has been some controversy regarding the benefits we gain from stretching before and after exercise. Luckily, Laura Schwecher, a writer for the Huffington Post uses her findings from scientific based evidence to bust some of the famous myths that surround gyms and other fitness centers around the nation. So, the jury is out and if you’re anything like myself, prepare to be shocked by some of these new findings.
Firstly, stretching doesn’t prevent injury nor does... Read More

Often vegetables have a stigma attached to them as being tasteless and
unpleasant to eat. Also, it can seem
like a salad is the only way to get your greens for the day. However, there are plenty of creative recipes
that incorporate vegetables to provide the nutrients you need while still
tasting delicious. The first two include
kale, one of the most nutrient rich greens, loaded with Vitamin K, Vitamin C,
calcium and 5g of fiber. Its antioxidant
content provides some protection against... Read More

With the rising costs of healthcare, many Americans turn to community health centers for important services at affordable prices. One of the nation’s leading centers for women’s health is Planned Parenthood, with nearly 800 health centers nationwide. Their outreach efforts help communities receive access to breast health education, breast screenings, and mammogram referrals, among other services. Their services reach disadvantaged women in underserved areas, often at whatever price the women... Read More

For many years of my life, I have been taught that taking a nap during the day would cause negative effects on my ability to fall asleep later in the evening. However, I recently found an article on WebMD that counteracts this long time assumption and negative connotation that has been applied to the word “nap.” Many people, like myself, tend to feel their energy levels fall when two or three o’clock rolls around. Instead of reaching for that not so nutritious energy drink to send you from... Read More

Let’s face it: a great pair of high heels is stylish and they really do complete an outfit. However, the reality is that the foot was not designed to be in permanent arched position while walking. The effect that high heels have on the body was examined in a study done by researchers at Griffith University in Queensland, Australia. Nine women were selected who had worn high heels for at least 40 hours a week for at least 2 years, as well as a control group of 10 women who rarely wore heels... Read More

The days of mystery meat sandwiches should soon
be over, and replaced by healthier options throughout our nation’s school lunch
program. This past Wednesday, January 25, the USDA, in partnership with First
Lady Michelle Obama, announced new guidelines for healthier school meal
programs. This announcement came in
coordination with the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, signed in December 2010 by
President Obama. According to the USDA press release, the new guidelines will
increase offerings of... Read More

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to work out more and lead a healthier life? Are you bored of doing the same old workout everyday? Well luckily, the UNH Outdoor Adventure Club can help! On February 14th, they will be hosting a Moonlight Cross Country Ski event across Medums Pond. It only costs five dollars and it includes transportation and ski gear. The event is from 6pm-9:30pm and you must sign up by February 13th at the front desk of the recreation center. The Outdoor Adventure Club... Read More

Have you noticed that your doctor has been referring you to a specialist more often then diagnosing and treating you in their office? Well, according to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine the likelihood that a doctor refers a patient to a specialist has doubled from 1999-2009. This means that the estimated number of visits that resulted in a referral jumped from 40.6 million to 105 million. The New York Times recently addressed this issue and attributed it to the rising cost... Read More

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to study better? Or do better in classes? How can you do this? One way is to study smarter! According to an article in the Huffington Post, it is recommended that students take mental breaks approximately every 45 minutes. This is due to the fact that the brain is only able to maintain true focus for around 45 minutes before it begins to lose steam. Therefore it would be wise practice to study diligently for up to an hour and then take a break. Breaks... Read More

Crunches, sit ups, planks; just some of the many abdominal exercises we do daily in an effort to achieve the coveted “six pack”. According to an article in the New York Times, researchers at Indiana State University are questioning if the crunches are really worth it. It was previously thought that a stronger core will improve your overall physical performance, but after conducting a fitness test, results showed no correlation “between robust core muscles and athleticism”. This finding was... Read More